The magazine also named Kaepernick its “Citizen of the Year,” referring to the former football star’s transition into activism and how he incited the take a knee protest that is still occurring in the NFL and beyond. Since Kaepernick declined to be interviewed for the story, the piece primarily tells his story through some of his contemporaries including J. Cole, Ava DuVernay, as well as iconic civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.

“Colin also made it clear to us that he intended to remain silent. As his public identity has begun to shift from football star to embattled activist, he has grown wise to the power of his silence,” GQ writes. “It has helped his story go around the world. It has even provoked the ire and ill temper of Donald Trump. Why talk now, when your detractors will only twist your words and use them against you? Why speak now, when silence has done so much?”

There are some great quotes included in the story, such as when J. Cole speaks on Kaepernick sacrificing his dream to be a football player to address police brutality throughout the United States.

“Had he not done that, this guy would be making millions of dollars right now. Period, point blank,” J. Cole said. “And more important than the money, he was living his dream. He sacrificed his dream.”

Belafonte concludes the story by applauding Kaepernick for his stance against injustice before offering some optimistic words on America’s future.

“I know how someone who is young can get the feeling that this is the worst things have been. I see how someone could think that. But it’s going to be okay,” Belafonte said. “Even in the Trump era, America is going to be okay.”